An article in Knitter's Magazine (Fall, 2005) gives directions for a pick-up-and-knit technique that is new to me. It involves picking up stitches from the front of the knitting and then the back, with a contrasting waste yarn woven in as a guideline. The result is a "clean finish" -- a seam that is perfectly covered on both sides so you can wear a cardigan open or closed without the picked-up line showing.

I am about to do the front and neck bands on an oversized kimono-style jacket that will be worn open, with the front edges sometimes turning back. The color of the band is different from the color of the body. Has anybody had any experience with this double pick-up technique and, if so, is it worth the considerable effort? Even the author admits it's pretty finicky. (I suppose a swatch is advisable.)

Dear BaaBaa;
I have no idea! I just think "double pick-up" sounds too funny to pass up without comment--
Front and back are not the same to me as they are to the rest of the universe so I wouldn't even begin to actually HELP A swatch sounds like a good idea though. I have been making little swatch people to use up yarn and buttons, etc. and then someone always wants to know what IS that on your bookshelf? oh, well, it's a swatch person!!
Mice

I have used a double pick up, the biggest thing to be careful of is that you pick up in the stitches and not between them. I also knit one row of k1 p1 after the pick up to set the stitches Knit and style winter edition had a big article on collars as well.

Liz--
I was thinking of your little swatch people today as I skimmed through the new Spring issue of Knitter's, which had just come in the mail. On Page 2, editor Rick Mondragon demonstrates how to turn two square swatches into a ball with a zig-zag seam -- most effective in two colors.

A while back our own John Puddick gave his "recipe" for a ball made of six swatches. I printed it and have since made a couple of them for T.O.M.'s granddaughters to gnaw on and otherwise abuse. I really need to try the Mondragon version. Maybe in some of the glitzy novelty yarns that I became disillusioned with after making swatches? Maybe make a lot of them and fill a silver bowl with them? After I clean the tax stuff off the dining table. And polish the silver bowl.

Oh, get back to work, bb.

Thanks for the tip, Dances.
I'm going to do it. (The swatch, at least.)

Tell me how it turns out.

BaaBaa, does that mean you will have a picture for us this Christmas? The silver bowl and beautiful balls, I mean. Just kidding, but it does sound pretty. Good Idea!

Pam

Pam--
If I can ever figure out how to upload pictures...and if I ever find the silver polish.

Silver polish? who does that?
Funny you should mention making balls for display because I got a book from the library (geez, i just remembered there is a book sale there today!!) that has directions for beautiful pears..it's Nicky Epstein i think.
I have various knitted vegetable instructions and went through that phase a few weeks ago i have no idea why but they were fun..
You'll have to pardon me I need lunch!!
Mice

If you are polishing silver for anything but the day before a formal dinner if then, you need to find a better knitting project.
The indestuctions for getting a photo to post are somewhere in the backposts I think, in general knitting but don't quote me. Jaquie gave me excelent directions to photobucket .com which I use whan I can figure out how to upload from my photo stash, which is always new each time. However online classes teach all kinds of technique, so I am slowly learning.

Liz--
Formal dinner? Is that where you use forks and knives? (And I used to be such a good hostess. But that was another life....)

Dances--
Did a 30 stitch by 40 row swatch (easy numbers to work with). The front and back pickupw were simple enough (easier with a crochet hook) but the recommended woven-in guideline was a major pain. Then you're supposed to add three rows of stockinette with smaller needles, then do something similar to a 3-needle bind-off to merge front and back, supposedly covering the seam. Didn't quite work: the stitches on the purl side look funky and elongated. So I have to figure out what I did wrong.

Oh, well, that's why a swatch has four sides. I'm going to try your method next. And then, an alternate technique described by the author.

I can see that this dual pickup thing is a real upgrade for collar seams and jacket bands. I just have to get it right. Onward and upward.

quote:

Jaquie gave me excelent directions to photobucket .com which I use whan I can figure out how to upload from my photo stash, which is always new each time.

I can't find the message where I posted that now so I will repeat them!

1.Create an account with www.photobucket.com (It's free)

2 After you have downloaded your photos from your camera, follow photobucket's instructions to upload them from your computer.

3 Once they are in Photobucket each picture has a URL that you can use in messages underneath it.

4 To display a picture in a message, click on the "image" button (2nd to last at top of message window). Copy and paste the URL of the picture in the dialog box that comes up and click on OK - and you are done.

Jacquie--
Thank you. I printed your instructions the first time and will do so again (in case there are variations).

It's Step 2 I haven't figured out for the digital camera. The manual is good; just need to read it.

Does anyone have and illustrations of the double pick-up? I intrigued but can't seem to figure it out. I can usually find anything on the internet, but of course not this!

Thanks

yeah. formal dinner. they do exist? who knew?
reminds me of the M&M guys when they see Santa and faint and so does he..
I hope you can work out the double pick up (sorry, I am still laughing) When I pick up and knit I usually pick up more stitches than directed because I like collars and sleeves without holes, but I think if you were to imagine crocheting it together the way seams are done for afghan pieces and translate that into knitting it might be similar. does that make any sense? The seam is neat and there are no holes.
I tend to crochet things when I'm knitting either to cover up errors (or would-be errors) or to make it easier to continue knitting.
I would like to see a picture of the kimono so please figure that out too Remember computers are only tools (and cameras too) and ultimately you have the final say because you can unplug them!!! so there!
Mice